Recently, I glimpsed the ever-expanding continuum of life divine, expressing as ancestors, relatives, and descendants, simultaneously. For example, it all started when an elderly gentleman was introduced to me as the grandson of an uncle of mine. I had heard about this uncle all my life but had never met him. In an instant, I realized that this perfect stranger and I shared the same ancestors, current relatives, and all the descendants of this bloodline forever and ever. After all, this individual’s great-grandmother was my father’s mother.  Immediately, I felt a true kinship with this person whose name I do not recall. 

Coincidentally, later that week, my niece shared her DNA results with our family. We were fascinated that a trace of our bloodline was found in countries we had never visited. Some opined that certain personality traits, physical features, or other inherited tendencies were now confirmed with this information.  For others, it meant nothing. It was like, “So What?” After all, one avenue only opened up another, in an exhaustless search for clues of personal identity in the total scheme of things.

The great discovery when honoring ancestors, interacting with relatives, and at the same time bearing witness to our own descendants here and now; we began to perceive a connecting link that unifies all of humanity as one universal family.    

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Yes, trying to make sense of our human experience, often catapults us into a spiritual experience. For example, I love the mystical aspect of Life; i.e., considering from whence we (humanity) came, who we are, and our greater-yet-to-be. I notice that whenever I move beyond the current events of the world, and think about pure existence, I am in awe. In such a moment of transcendence, I experience the highest form of prayer; I am consciously unified with The Presence in whom I am never separated. 

From this perspective, attention turns to the First Cause of all existence.  In that moment we come face to face with God, the Father-Mother essence within us all. This “Divine Nature Awareness” is the enlightenment that reveals our kinship with all beings. Our true inheritance of Unity, Peace, Love, Harmony, Beauty, and Joy, and goodwill toward all people are the gifts of The Spirit. 

In this state of consciousness, we begin to “Envision a world in which we live and grow as One Family that respects and honors the interconnectedness of all life; a world where this kinship with all life prospers and connects through the guidance of spiritual wisdom and experience.” 

The greeting, Namaste,’ that we bestow upon all we encounter, is a declaration of our true and eternal relationship with one another; i.e., “the presence of God within me, recognizes the presence of God within you, we are forever One.”

Together, through a shared consciousness of Oneness, we may create a world that works for everyone. 

This Weeks Affirmation

I always recognize myself in ALL of my experiences.

Keith Childers

(REVISITED POST)

“Imagine all the people, sharing all the world.”
~ “Imagine” by John Lennon ~

“We envision a world where personal responsibility joins with social conscience in every area of the political, corporate, academic, and social sector, providing sustainable structures to further the emerging global consciousness.”
~ Centers for Spiritual Living ~ 

While the gardener does not physically see the interaction that takes place between the seed she plants and the soil in which it is placed; nonetheless, in due season not only does the gardener see the evidence in full bloom, everyone who encounters the garden also sees it. The flower, fruit, or vegetable yields its color, its fragrance, its taste, and its texture to all alike. Yes, we are all in this together.  

Likewise, there is a similar activity that takes place in the mental realm of humanity. For example, like seeds being planted in soil, our beliefs, feelings, and emotions unconsciously fall into the energy of the one creative mind. In due season these vibratory sensations are evidenced in the physical realm where they are experienced. Everyone who resonates with this particular mindset is susceptible to its effects. Yes, we are all in this together.

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 The song, “We Are the World,” written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, is a perfect illustration of our common unity as global citizens. It depicts how we are all in this thing called life together, and that we each have the power to plant seeds that produce the highest good for everyone.  When the principle of Oneness is realized, and activated, the power of Love, Peace, and Harmony are unleashed, bringing comfort and healing to receptive hearts and minds. 

The Principle of Oneness may seem simple enough when it comes to family, and dear friends, etc. However, the challenge is to realize it regarding those we disagree who seem to be in opposition to our personal values. These illusions of division and separation create false images of duality, i.e., “them” vs. “us.” 

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The Master Teacher, Jesus, understood the interconnectivity of humanity, and provided a simple lesson to support us in our quest for well-being on the planet. It is a simple lesson of good will toward all. He taught: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, …”  

 ~ ~ ~ ~

It takes courage, mindfulness, and a commitment to practice the Principle of Oneness and rise above the shadows of darkness, caused by the ignorance of our true identity as centers of consciousness in the One Infinite Presence and Power.   The illumined mind moves forth, making conscious choices, aware that their choices, like seeds, manifest in due season as a world that works for everyone.

 From this perspective of interdependence, we step into the greater yet to be that awaits us. When our masks of separation are finally removed, the emerging consciousness affirms a resounding yes!  Yes, we are all in this together …, we are our brother’s keeper. The mystic asserts I AM my brother!

And, so it is!

This Weeks Affirmation

“I affirm and know that when the principle of Oneness is activated by me, I know that Love is the only true answer to everything and for everyone.”

~ Mary Jane LaBonte, RScP ~

(Revisited Post)

Learning to surrender to the IS-Ness of Life is an essential spiritual practice. Much like forgiveness, it is not a one-time discipline. It must be done over and over again. When I say the “Is-ness” of life, I am referring to the essence, or presence, inherent within all living things. I am affirming, “God is…. I am.”

Actually, I have had resistance to the phrase, “surrender to God’s will.” The term seems so “yesterday thinking” suggesting that God is a Power outside of myself and that I must give up my personal power of choice.   Yet, my Higher Self (God within me) knows that my “today thinking” understands what “God’s will” really means.  I must remind myself over and over that New Thought and Ancient Wisdom both signify the same awareness of Eternal Truth.

I have come to understand that God’s will and God’s nature are one and the same. When I think about what I believe to be Truth, I sense The All-Pervasive Presence of intangible qualities at the core of everything. It stands to reason that God, the Great Creative Force of the Universe, being All There Is, is the fundamental First Cause of all life.  God’s Will, I reason within my own mind, can be nothing short of The Energy of Love, Beauty, Harmony, Joy, Wholeness, Unity, Peace, Wisdom, etc.

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When we are willing to surrender to the presence of goodness within us; we are no longer constrained by our own self-imposed littleness. We are able to move through, over, or around what seems to be a difficult situation beyond our control. The moment we begin to see a greater possibility for our lives our spiritual bar is raised, our expectations are elevated; our consciousness is expanded. Instead of playing Limbo, seeing how low we can go, we begin to see how high we can go. We actually start to become the good we seek. We can say goodbye to hitting bottom over and over again. 

~ ~ ~~

Of course, the great realization is: God being the All in all means I am unified with Omnipotence. From this perspective I realize it is always God’s will or God’s nature that I desire when I pray about the experiences of my life, be they health, financial supply, fulfilling relationships, or creative expression. It is up to me to stop struggling with my limited perceptions of life and simply accept or let God be God as the thing I desire to experience. I must surrender to God’s will… God’s nature. 

Surrendering, in the context being used here, does not mean giving away our power; instead, it means accepting the power that is our divine inheritance. In so doing, our faith is ignited and we become empowered with Love and Light. We are inspired to take the necessary action that is ours to do that reveals the Wholeness, Peace, and Harmony we seek.  We spontaneously become a beneficial presence in the world. 

And, so it is!

This Week’s Affirmation

“Today I affirm God’s will as my highest good knowing they are one in the same.”

By Judy Hilley

(Revisited Repost)

“Stand porter at the door of thought.”
~ Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science ~  

“The wise person sees the need to watch his thoughts and accept only those that are good and constructive.” (John H. Williams) In other words, the choice is always to gaze upward or downward. The Law of Mind responds to each alike according to the direction of the mental vibration. 

Scripture describes the upward gaze, this way: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” 

We each experience life according to our beliefs. The key word is “experience.” While we may not be exempt from the effects of downward gazing that includes the so-called good, bad, and the ugly; it is through the art of ‘right thinking, we can say with the Psalmist, “yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,” etc. 

It was Alexander Hamilton who said, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”  The question is, do the convictions of your heart outweigh anything that suggests otherwise; or, is your inner vision compromised and easily influenced by the world stage with its cross-currents of collective beliefs and the opinions of opposing viewpoints?

The good news is, no matter what we are told, or what we read, no one can think for us. We think for ourselves, independent of anything outside ourselves. Individual choice is unlimited in its possibility of expression. 

However, Ernest Holmes says “Stay open at the top.”  Otherwise, we may become closed-minded to the extent that we are dogmatic in our beliefs and miss out on the revelations of religion, the opinions of philosophy, and the discoveries of science that are always taking place, causing the evolution of humanity. 

It takes courage to think things through, applying reason with faith.  Say to yourself: The creative power of God, through which all things are possible, flows through my highest idea of good for myself and for all humanity. Health, Wealth, Peace, Harmony, Unity, and Love are infused in all my thoughts.

Careful and honest scrutiny of our personal intentions and motives regarding the highest good of all concerned is essential for the conscious participant in the evolution of humanity. The ability to embrace our oneness with all life and that each one of us is part of the whole, we come to the realization that what we are thinking, saying, and doing really does count in the total scheme of things.  

Soon, through a regular practice of meditation, we begin to see the wheat separating from the chaff and the direction of our mental energy begins to align us with the nature of Peace, Harmony, Love, Wisdom, Beauty, Joy, and Wholeness. As we move from a selfish stance to a Selfless stance, we begin to live in the celestial dimensions of God-consciousness, creating a world that works for everyone. 

This Weeks Affirmation

I “walk the labyrinth” to my center daily and affirm all Good for myself and for others.

Angela “Chris” Beam

(Revisited Repost)

I fretted, became frustrated, exhausted, and finally, just plain spent. You see, even the most skilled IT Technician could not retrieve that Word Document I so desperately needed. It was lost forever. 

In the midst of feeling stuck in a cycle of self-blame and ridicule for not doing my part to save the precious text, I heard a still small voice within me say, “The same intelligence that flowed through you, creating that document, is still available.” Unconsciously I was being re-aligned with the Truth, the promise of freedom, peace, and the ability to begin again. The decision to accept the gift of letting go of the mistake and moving on, equated to self-forgiveness.

You would think I would immediately follow this divine guidance. It was my choice. Nonetheless, I continued to struggle, punishing myself a little longer. It was as if an opposing thought said, ‘self-forgiveness is for more serious issues, like the one shared by the woman I recently encountered who had been physically imprisoned for her mistakes.’ 

Limiting self-talk keeps us locked into what is already the past.

The woman, like me, heard the still small voice within her that promised a new beginning. She adhered to the divine guidance of this Inner Knower and is now re-aligned with her inherent nature. Having stepped into her greater-yet-to-be, she is now a beneficial presence in the world.

The principle of forgiveness dissolves the emotional energy of condemnation, shame, or blame. The Self/giving-ness of Divine Love energizes the entire being with the wisdom to move forward, to begin again.  In many ways our self-forgiveness and ability to move forward support fellow travelers. It is another way of creating a world that works for everyone.

I GOT IT!!!

There is no “big” or “small” in the Infinite Mind of the Divine. Even the slightest condemnation of one’s self, and/or that of another, blocks the free-flowing energy of Spirit, causing emotional imprisonment and limits self-expression. 

The Self-giving-ness of the Divine One is Grace. It is the ever-flowing presence of healing Love.

John Newton, the converted slave trader of the 1700’s wrote: “How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed.” Yes, Truth realized is always the spontaneous and instantaneous response to Divine Love.  This is the inherent nature within every one of us.

By the way, the next day my creative juices were flowing again. Thank goodness for the practice of meditation and prayer. The replacement document that I created was better than the first. And I saved it! My realization was swift: once forgiveness is initiated, peace is restored.

This Weeks Affirmation

STOP. KNOW. EXHALE. I AM Peace.

Keith Childers